“Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton
The political corruption in Ghana has been a major encumbrance declines in our central part of democratic mechanisms that has lead to economic meltdown and government failure since the era of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Ghana has over the years witness a lot of tragic events since independent but efforts to establish a just and efficient administration have been frustrated by political corruption. Most recently during the 2016 electioneering period under the led Umbrella flag barrier, NPP orchestrated allegations against most if not all ministries having involve in fraudulent cases and corruption. In same vein, the era of heated financial struggle across the country, rumors was widespread that, some Former President Mahama led political appointees were alleged to be involved in different cases of corruption of which the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority – SADA is no exclusion.
The people of Ghana voted for change and as such must see improvement in their daily lives and not the establishment of another institution of which has taken more expected already. The proposed Ministry of Special Initiative and Development is just a total duplication of the already existing Municipal District Assemblies of which will illegally serve as an avenue to loot the already managing revenue into the hands of few and to the disadvantage of the large populace.
By careful juxtaposition and observation, this soon to approve Ministry is not indifferent from the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) which was established in line with the Act of parliament (ACT 805) of 2010 of which you campaigned rigorously against.
Mr President, let your vision and sonorous determination to put Ghana’s economy back to normal and to cripple the influence of corrupt political practices be unshaken, unabated and firm. To reason with me;
Why hire office buildings at the cost of Ghc15M when averagely Ghc1.3 million can build an office structure in all the ten (10) Regional capitals of Ghana.
Mr President, it should Interest you to know that, we Ghanaians are watching steadily and have observed that some of your appointees don’t care as you do about Ghanaian populace because this is a clear indication of loot and share amongst some few within the Ministry. Despite the fact that more than 78% of Ghanaians are crying in starvation because of economic recession over few years, yet some of your mischievous sprite politicians are inflating huge amount of money that is enough to revitalize the FREE SHS Program, One District One Factory, One Village One Dam, 1 million dollars, 1 constituency etc. to be approved so they could enjoy more, the already good life they are living.
Don’t be awe Mr President because this is the planned strategy to be used to build up gargantuan wealth, thus embezzlement of public money because of their financial support during campaign. Mr President, below is an highlights of a deadly and dangerous itemized demand;
- Item 7: Construction of market Ghc110,000,000.00
- Item 9: Procurement of four(4) Wheel Drive Ghc10,000,000,00
- Item 26: Development of Website Ghc800,000.00 (80 Billion old Ghana cedis)
- Item 27: Preparation Of Budget Ghc2,000,000.00
Obviously, it should not come as a surprise if 2020 General election doesn’t go as envisaged because Ghanaians are easily moved by just feelings and not projects: if we concur on thinking about infrastructure and projects, Former President Mahama should still be in power; let talk about the Double steer Circle Interchange (aka Ghana Dubia), Kasoa overhead, Asafo Market, the building of over 200 second cycle Institutions amongst others.
To wrap up Mr President, as a listening leader and an advocate of the sustainable development goals, indulge me respectfully to state with a sad heart, tears in my eyes and as a Political watch dog that Ministry of Special Initiatives and Development is a total waste of the taxpayers money, hence should be scrapped off Immediately and never again as a developing nation trend on such a disastrous route.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) must demonstrate probity, transparency, integrity and accountabilities commitment to convince the general public of the Change we/they voted for.
Like I always say; Nothing Is Late When Life Is Long.
“Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”-Mark Twain
Aluta continua, Victoria Acenta
By McMichael Nana-Kojo Appiah
The writer is a Political Science student at the University of Ghana.
Email: mappiah017@st.ug.edu.gh